About the Club
OPENING HOURS
Monday to Thursday
11:30AM to 3:00PM
5:00PM to 11:00PM
Friday
11:00AM to 3:00PM
5:00PM to Midnight
Saturday
11:30AM to Midnight
Sunday
11:30AM to 3:00PM
7:00PM to 11:00PM
Introduction
Daventry Conservative Club is a popular town centre club situated in the High Street, which is right in the middle of the main shopping area.
It offers fine beers and wines at very reasonable prices. On Monday and Friday lunchtimes you will find a comprehensive menu of hot meals and snacks at very competitive prices. On other days certain snacks are available. Sunday lunches and special dining nights also take place regularly.
The club has a snooker team and boasts three tables, which are generally regarded as some of the best in the the area. The cost of playing is very reasonable. The snooker team play in the Rugby & District League. A darts teams is also run in the Club playing in the local league. Northamptonshire Cheese Skittles is also available in the Club in the upstairs Games Room. We have a Team in the Pytchley Winter League as well as the Daventry Summer League. Cards and dominoes are also popular games and played regularly by members.
Regular entertainment, quiz nights, occasional games evenings, bingo, draws and raffles ensure that there is always plenty going on in the Club. The Club supports local charities and holds various fund raising events.
The Club boasts air-conditioning, friendly staff and is known for its relaxed atmosphere. Only members, guests and affiliates may use the club and entry is strictly controlled by a secure key door-entry system.
The Club is run for its members by members by an elected committee, president and chairman, in conjunction with a small team of executives and of course most importantly, the permanent steward and his staff.
Here is a brief history of the Club
In 2010 the Club celebrated 125 years in existence.
The Club was originally established as reading rooms by a group of gentlemen who placed the following advertisement in the local press dated 21.03.1885.
DAVENTRY TOWN COUNTY CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION AND CLUB
‘The club house at 5 High Street, Daventry, containing comfortable and commodious reading rooms will be open to members after 26th March 1885.
Terms = 1 shilling entrance and 1 shilling per quarter.
Information as to membership can be obtained from the
Hon. Secretary, Mr Gerard Lewis
President, Lt. Col. John Henry Lowndes
Vice President, E.C. Burton Esq.’
The Vice president, E. C. Burton gave his name to the well-known Burton Memorial, which is situated at the top of the High Street adjacent to the Market Square. It is well worth a visit to read the inscription.
The President, Lt. Col. John Henry Lowndes, was a bodyguard to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert before joining his regiment to fight in the Crimean War. He was shot during this campaign at a time when the army surgeons thought it best to leave shotgun wounds open. A letter to his parents said he wish he could die because of the pain. The wound was repaired when he arrived home and he lived until he was 90 years old.
In 1924 the Club was situated further down the street at 51 High Street, Daventry. This would be approximately where the new newsagent and book shop is currently situated. In 1930 planning permission was sought to convert its existing site from a private household to a private club. It is believed that it was at this time that the club relocated to its present site at 39 High Street, Daventry.
During World War II it has been reported locally that for an early period of the war it was taken over by the government as the local food office. An office was set up on the first floor where various supplements for babies were issued, along with bottles of Cod Liver Oil. We are indebted to our former President, Brian Nelson for researching into the history of the Club.
The Current Building
The existing premises are a Grade II listed stuccoed building in the Neoclassical style built circa 1810 or 1820. It comprises of a three stories with a Welsh low pitched roof. There are 5 sash windows with corniches on the first floor and architrave surrounds to the second floor. There are also giant Greek Ionic pilasters on panelled pedestal either end. A central door and oblong fanlight in reveal, with a surround of Greek Ionic half columns , entablature and blocking course.
The Club
The Club seating areas forms a horseshoe-shaped pattern around an ‘L’ shaped bar. Comfortable seating is found throughout. A separate unique entrance hall that has a stone wall on one side leads to a snooker room. An upstairs games room are also available to members. The Club is bright and clean throughout.
The Club facilities can be hired out a reasonable prices to members, member’s relatives and friends for private parties, buffets, wakes, birthday parties, meetings, etc. See room hire below.
Bar
The long bar area is split in two zones. The upper bar contains a stage where regular entertainment and the occasional games and race nights take place. A dart board is also found upon the stage. Both dominoes and cards are popular games played in this area.
The lower bar is a quieter area where groups of members sit and chat.
Lounge
A small comfortable lounge area is found at the bottom corner of the Club.
Restaurant Area
A Restaurant area which holds to approximately 30 people is available off the lounge. This area can be shut off and doubles up as a second meeting room and for private functions. It also acts as an extension to the lounge when meals are not being served.
Snooker Room
The Snooker Room is found at the end of the rear passageway. There are three tables and ample room for spectators. No food is allowed to be consumed in this area.The second picture (below) of the Snooker room was taken at the official opening event, circa 1970. Former stars Fred Davis and Rex Williams are pictured playing Billiards in the picture. A former alderman and mayor of Daventry, Bernard Ridley, is pictured in the centre.
Games Room
A small games room is available on the first floor of the building and can be reached from the main stairway off the entrance hall. A second dart board is available upstairs. The room is mostly used by the thriving Northamptonshire ‘Cheeses’ Skittles Team who play in a local League.
A second dart board is also available for members use when Skittles matches are not taking place.
Function & Meeting Rooms
CONTACT
All enquiries to the Secretary.
Tel no – 01327 704991
or email – daventry.club@hotmail.com
DOWNSTAIRS MEETING ROOM
- Daytime and Evening hire available
- Room can be isolated for private meetings and functions
- Seats easily 30 people comfortably around tables. for parties we can seat 40 people/
- Particularly suitable for Wakes, Christenings, Parties and Special Interest Group meetings
- Children of all ages welcome provided they are kept under strict control
- Easy access to all bar facilities
- Small and large buffets available on advance booking
- Room hire and buffets priced depending on your particular requirements
- Very competitive prices
FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE, MEETING & GROUP HIRE
- Daytime and Evening hire available
- Standalone room very suitable for Conferencing, Private Meetings, Regular group Hire and Special Functions.
- Seats 30 people on comfortable padded stackable seating around collapsable tables for Conferences or Meetings.
- The room can accommodate and seat about 40 people in total.
- Complete flexibility on arranging seating and tables to suit most purposes.
- Table cloths available when required.
- Flipcharts, Whiteboard, Projector and Screen available for Conferences, Presentations or Meetings.
- Blinds on Windows and Curtains on internal doors suitable for Projector use or Private Meetings and Functions.
- At certain times access to private toilet and kitchen facilities on the same floor can be arranged for special evening functions and parties.
- Children welcome provided they are kept under strict control
- Access to downstairs bar facilities during opening times.
- Tea, coffee and biscuits available for meetings & conferencing during daytime hire.
- Daytime hire available – contact Secretary for prices. ,which include tea, coffee and biscuits.
- Members discounts are often available.
- Evening hire rates are priced depending on individual requirements.
- Very competitive rates.
- Special terms and arrangements can be discussed for regular group hire.
Rear Entrance Hall
The kitchen, toilets, including a disability toilet can all be found from the rear entrance hall which features a unique stone wall feature. Members who are avid readers might like to partake in the book exchange system which takes place in the hall area. Old books are donated and any members can help themselves to any titles they fancy for a small donation to be put in our current charity bottle which is situated at the end of the bar.
Garden and Smoking Area
Smoking Shelter. The Club has a small covered smoking area and bench.
The beer garden out the rear of the Club is subject to a redesign and should be finished by 2024..